Personal bests are never meant for comparison. We each come from very different places -- my daily best might be quite different than your daily best. And what I have to offer should never be brought up in comparison to your life contributions.

In general, people don't really want to know the real answer to tough questions about life.

Last year, a woman with far more experience than I in the education field came to our school to speak to the staff. In her discussion, she broached the topic of communication with parents. And one thing she said stuck in my head and has challenged me ever since.

Our school lost a shining light this week. A little boy -- six years old. He, the lover of hockey, fishing and fun, was taken suddenly, leaving our school community grappling with life and death issues. In my classroom, I turned to the one sure thing I knew could shed some light, love and laughter on an otherwise dark cloud that hovered low. Your books.

Teaching is a demanding profession. But I wouldn't trade teaching for another career. Educating children and motivating them to learn and discover the world around them is a true joy. And I am privileged to be one of the lucky ones.

If anyone had told me three years ago I would be teaching kindergarten, I would have politely laughed at them. If anyone had told me one of my students would be my charming daughter, I would have (politely) laughed at them and then high-tailed it for the next bus out of town. The truth is, I love it.

I don't want my kids to think that violence, entitlement and disrespect are a regular part of sports. But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe they are a part of the experience and will help prepare them for what's ahead. But is that really what little league baseball is all about?

OTTAWA -- Canada's public schools are doing a poor job of teaching basic math skills and shortchanging a generation of kids, says a study by the Front...